“Everyone, protect Her Highness the Princess—now!”
Truly fitting for a nation that worshipped strength above all.
Though Jikuhir’s appearance was sudden, under Knight Ende’s swift command, imperial soldiers rushed in, shielding Lisdel—and a utterly bewildered Cang Xiaoxi—behind them.
What in the world?! Your Majesty, this isn’t your cue yet!
Cang Xiaoxi’s eyes shrank to pinpricks, his face frozen in sheer confusion. Jikuhir had jumped the script—way ahead of schedule. The plan was simple: he’d extract all he could, signal her, then she’d cause chaos for their escape. If she chose to wipe out the soldiers too? Fine by him. Their lives meant nothing to him. But skipping straight to the climax? Way too many scenes cut.
“You are… Wait! That’s the ‘Silverfrost Dragon Queen’! Everyone, stay sharp! She’s the Dragonkin queen—the ‘Silverfrost Dragon Queen’!”
Facing the furious, vein-popping girl, Knight Ende—well-versed in regional powers—recognized her instantly. He barked warnings while pulling Lisdel and Cang Xiaoxi firmly behind him.
A ripple of shock spread through the ranks.
“No way?! *That’s* the Silverfrost Dragon Queen? She’s so tiny?”
“!”
“Seriously? Is that the Dragon Queen or a dragon plushie?”
“!”
“How can someone this small be Divine Tier?!”
“!”
Tiny… tiny… tiny…
One careless “tiny” after another slipped from the soldiers’ lips—right in front of Jikuhir.
Hearing the endless stream of belittling whispers…
Her Majesty the Dragon Sovereign snapped.
“Hehehe… I only meant to teach you a lesson for taking what’s mine. But now? Return to dust.”
Her golden eyes flashed silvery-blue. An instinctive aura of absolute cold erupted, freezing the pitch-black cavern in an instant. True killing intent seeped into every soul. Pupils shrank. Calves trembled with each hesitant step backward.
*Crack!*
Air shattered. Blood sprayed.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
“Ahh!” “Evade!” “Retreat!”
Heart-wrenching screams filled the crimson-stained air. Soldiers who’d mocked her size moments ago now lay as fallen spirits beneath the Dragon Sovereign’s claws. Where the strongest Sovereign walked, “peace” bloomed. Even the air turned bloody red.
The remaining soldiers, Princess Lisdel—and Cang Xiaoxi—witnessed raw, terrifying power.
“Is… is this the strength of a Divine Tier expert?” Lisdel gulped, her earlier curiosity utterly erased. Only one thought remained: *How do I survive with this kawaii boy beside me?*
“Ende! Deploy every Arcane Artifact for suppression! Order full retreat—we can’t win!”
“Understood, Your Highness!”
Soldiers fled, hurling every remaining artifact. With each second, more fell. Lisdel gritted her teeth, grabbed Cang Xiaoxi’s hand.
“Come! Staying means death!”
“Eh?! Ah…”
Her urgent voice pulled him from stunned awe. *Follow the princess and become a child bridegroom? Or retreat with the furious Dragon Sovereign?* He froze.
The moment Lisdel touched his hand—
“DON’T TOUCH WHAT’S MINE!!!”
Jikuhir blasted past blocking soldiers, charging straight for them.
“Regroup! She’s targeting the princess!” Ende drew his sword, shielding Lisdel.
“Out of my way!” she roared, cutting down every obstacle.
Lisdel’s legs turned to jelly. *Will I die here? I just found someone… and we haven’t even spoken…* She glanced at Cang Xiaoxi, hand over his face. *He’s scared too.* Misreading his expression, she shoved him back with a strained smile.
“I’m sorry… go on ahead. My sisters will catch up…”
“Nonsense! Retreat, Your Highness! We’ll hold her!” Ende insisted.
“No! As princess, I won’t flee. I’ll fight!”
Ende’s heart swelled. *She’s the true hope for this empire.* But before he could vow loyalty—
“Ugh. Why say something so unnecessary?”
*BOOM!*
Magical energy clashed. Gasps erupted. A black-haired youth, wrapped in silvery-blue aura and wielding a strange sword-like construct, stood between the silver-haired girl and her target.
“Why?!” Jikuhir demanded.
He turned to the stunned pair behind him. “Go. *Now.*”
With a slight push of his feet, he launched the Dragon Sovereign cleanly from the battlefield—vanishing with her.
“Wait! You—!” Lisdel cried, lunging after them.
“Your Highness, no! Retreat!” Ende held her back.
“How can we leave him?! He’s fighting *alone*!”
“I won’t gamble with your life!”
“I won’t abandon him!”
“No choice—escort Her Highness out!”
“Let go! Insolent fools! Cang Xiaoxi—!”
Calling his name through tears and worry, Lisdel was carried from the ruins.
…
“Hey… time to cool off yet?”
After Cang Xiaoxi pushed her away with a disposable Arcane Artifact, Jikuhir instantly stopped fighting and pouted like a tiny adult.
“I’m *not* angry! Not one bit! Even if someone wants to be a child bridegroom—I don’t care! Hmph!”
(Textbook tsundere lines, tail twitching sky-high.)
“You say you’re not angry,” Cang Xiaoxi sighed, watching her flustered tail, “but your tail’s practically waving a flag.”
“No! I said *no*!” She puffed her cheeks, hugged her knees, and went silent.
“Sigh… you…” He shook his head. He *was* furious at her recklessness—but owing her a debt, he swallowed his pride.
“If you’re mad, just say why. Sulking like this might stunt your growth…”
“Shut up, idiot! How can I *not* be angry when someone tries to take what’s *mine*!”
